The big horses are coming to San Benito County.
Today about 50 draft horses will compete at the San Benito
County Fairgrounds during the second annual Central Coast Draft
Horse
&
amp; Driving Show.
Hollister – The big horses are coming to San Benito County.
Today about 50 draft horses will compete at the San Benito County Fairgrounds during the second annual Central Coast Draft Horse & Driving Show.
Draft horses – any variety of horse weighing more than 1,500 pounds – are bred to work. They tow wagons, pull plows and haul logs. Today, they will compete in a variety of events.
“We brought them here to the county for people to see how agile, versatile and beautiful they are,” said Suzy Caston, the event’s director.
One of the events at the show is the Gamblers Choice, during which a horse is hitched to a wagon and a driver maneuvers it around a course of obstacles that have different point values. Winners receive ribbons.
Jeanne Williams, who will participate in some of the driving competitions, has been waking up early this week to get her eight Clydesdales ready for today’s show, but she doesn’t mind losing sleep.
“It takes a lot of training,” she said. “But when you’re out in the arena it’s worth it.”
For more than a century draft horses were important tools in San Benito County’s agricultural industry, said Jerry Cooley, who is helping with the event.
“It’s a chance to see something different,” he said. “They get to see the big horses that used to be used in farming in this area.”
And don’t be intimidated by the size of the animals, these big horses are more gentle and relaxed than smaller breeds, he said.
The show will be cut into an early performance held today from 9am to 2pm and an evening performance from 5pm to 9pm. In between, there will be a barbecue from 3pm to 5pm featuring tri-tip and chicken. And vendors will be on hand selling everything from horse tack to jewelry. The event is free and everyone is welcome to watch the powerful horses in action.
Unlike rodeos, which are fairly common, draft horse shows are few and far between in California, so today’s event is a great opportunity to see what these animals can do, Caston said.
“Going to a draft horse show is something that you don’t get a chance to do any time,” she said. “We want to promote what we’re doing and our love of these horses.”
Luke Roney covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
